LOCAL PEOPLE TO ENJOY FIRST ODEON IN DURHAM THE GATES TO BECOME ‘THE RIVERWALK’

– 10 March 2016 – Following the announcement that The Gates shopping centre achieved planning consent last year, ODEON Cinemas (Odeon) has confirmed it will open at the centre once the £30 million redevelopment has completed in Summer 2018.

Owned by a fund managed by Clearbell Capital, the centre will be rebranding to ‘The Riverwalk’. The new brand has been designed to reflect the vision of transforming Durham’s leisure offering and revitalising the shopping centre with a new promenade overlooking the River Wear, views of Durham Castle and the Cathedral.

The new Odeon will include six screens and sit as part of a new riverside promenade. As part of the development, the fund will also include a variety of restaurants, 23 refurbished stores and enhanced entrances and public realm areas, enhancing the area’s amenities both during the day and at night-time. As part of the development, 253 student rooms will also be built.

Nick Berry, Partner at Clearbell Capital, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Odeon to The Riverwalk. Durham has long been in need of a new cinema to cater for the needs of local people, and we are glad to be able to provide this as part of our regeneration of this key part of Durham.

“The Riverwalk is a crucial part of the retail and leisure offering in Durham city centre, and we believe the rebrand is fundamental in delivering our vision for the city, while also helping to launch the revitalised centre nationally.”

Ken Taylor, Property Director at ODEON Cinemas, added: “We look forward to coming to Durham and being part of this high quality scheme. With this central position within Durham we will offer our guests the opportunity to enjoy all the facilities of our fantastic state-of-the-art cinema and also to step outside and have a meal in one of the adjoining restaurants whilst enjoying magnificent views of the Castle across the River Wear.”

Shoppers will still be able to access designated areas of The Riverwalk while construction takes place.

The agent for The Riverwalk is Spencer Wilson at Cushman and Wakefield and John Wood at The Other Retail Group.